Senior Accountant

Skills:

Demonstrated process improvement results within finance/accounting functions.

RATE: $42.37/hr. On W2

Senior Accounting Contractor
The Health Connector seeks a seasoned, detail-oriented, senior accounting professional for a contract engagement. The contractor will assess and support accounting operations end to end, identify and close process gaps, and ensure documentation is clear and complete. They will bring broad expertise in payroll processing, month-end close, ERP platforms, internal controls, and separation of duties to strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.

The contractor will provide hands-on, day-to-day support to keep core activities on track: month-end close, reconciliations, reporting, audit support, and payroll touchpoints, while strengthening documentation, controls, and handoffs across related processes and allowing the Senior Director of Accounting to focus on the Enrolment & Premium Billing (EPB) implementation project. Experience with payroll system implementation is also required.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day oversight of core accounting activities—month-end close, reconciliations, journal entries, reporting, audit support, and payroll touchpoints—ensuring complete, accurate on-time delivery; step in to execute tasks as needed.
• Map current accounting processes (e.g., month end close, AP, AR, payroll) and recommend streamlined, automated, best practice solutions—reducing manual work without weakening controls.
• Work collaboratively with cross functional teams to ensure alignment of financial processes with business objectives.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of strong internal controls and risk management practices, including separation of duties.
• Serve as the functional lead for payroll system implementation or migration; lead requirements and design, review/update payroll requirements, validate tax configurations and earning/deduction code mappings, oversee data mapping and migration, and plan/manage cutover.
• Establish an integrated accounting calendar (close, audit, reporting, payroll) and a simple status tracker, then transition ongoing maintenance to staff.
• Coordinate with existing accounting staff to align priorities, track deliverables, surface risks, and drive timely resolution.
• Perform targeted reviews of reconciliations, journal entries, and variance analyses to confirm accuracy and completeness.
• Review the existing process inventory; assess documentation quality; update or create SOPs, checklists, and reference guides where needed; map address high risk/high volume areas; and clearly identify process gaps with recommended remediation steps.
• Assist in drafting audit-related deliverables (e.g., schedules, notes/footnotes) and validate data provided to auditors by reconciling key schedules to the GL, cross-checking totals, confirming completeness, and maintaining clear support.
• Support compliance filings and documentation (e.g., abandoned property, 1099 processing).
• Provide support to the EPB implementation as needed (e.g., accounting inputs, SOP updates).
• Other projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (CPA preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including:
• Payroll: tax rules, reporting, and system implementations
• Month End Close: reconciliations, journal entries, variance analysis
• ERP Platforms: familiarity with general ledger systems (e.g., QuickBooks Online, Oracle Financials)
• Payroll Platforms: hands-on experience with cloud-based payroll systems (e.g., ADP Workforce Now)
• Software Implementation: hands-on experience implementing new payroll platforms, including requirements, configuration, testing, data migration, cutover, and documentation; demonstrated functional lead experience coordinating cross functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP with practical application to payroll, revenue recognition, accruals, and reconciliations.
• Demonstrated process improvement results within finance/accounting functions.
• Proven ability to document processes clearly and build practical SOPs/checklists.
• Strong technical aptitude (data flow comprehension, basic interface/file troubleshooting).
• Advanced Excel skills (lookups, pivot tables).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and written/oral communication skills.
• Self-starter who operates with minimal supervision and high follow through.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and collaborate effectively across teams.